Southwest of Hannover in western Germany, Bielefeld lies near the Teutoberg Forest, the site of the 9th century Battle of Teutoberg Forest.

This is a city one could get lost in for days, exploring the old Ming Dynasty walls and wandering through its superb museum. If time permits, you should also take a walk through Linggu Park, home of the Linggu Pagoda and other items of Buddhist interest. Even just a casual walk through the streets-replete with food vendors and baskets of live geese-will help convey the unique flavor of this city.

León, Nicaragua serves as the country’s capital for more than two centuries and still feels like the intellectual and political heart of Nicaragua. The city is known for its revolutionary past, visible in murals that stretch across building walls, telling stories of resistance, poets, and everyday citizens. The Cathedral of León, the largest in Central America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dominates the central square.

Volcanoes National Park, in northwestern Rwanda, is a place where dramatic volcanic landscapes meet extraordinary wildlife encounters. Stretching across the Virunga Mountains, the park is dominated by five towering volcanoes whose slopes are cloaked in rainforest and bamboo.

Abha, the capital of Saudi Arabia’s Asir Province, is a scenic mountain city set nearly 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) above sea level in the Sarawat Mountains. Known for its mild climate, lush green hills, and misty peaks, it stands in striking contrast to the country’s desert landscapes.